Envelope machine



Cct- 6, 192.5'- 1,556,369

' J. STIRISS ENVELOPE MACHINE Filed Aug. 26, 1921 5 Sheets-$119 l arto: umg

J. STIRISS ENVBLOPE HACHINB Filed Auz. 26, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 vento@ 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Anz. 26, 19.21

mmv hun .Qmv wml... QS w Q MMS J. STIRISS ENVELOPE MACHINE 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Auz. 26

Oct. 6, 1925.

J. STIRISS lamanonv MACHINE Filedv Aug. 26. 1921 I s sheets-sheet s y 31a/venice,

QQ N" NN\ A. l/ .nl .3 o Q v l Q m. QSI/ t.. @s \\\l |l/ n O v G @N mmf@ N -f lx mw, SMQ Nw G G NQ Q O uw n mwN Patented Oct. 6, 1925.

y Unirse STATES-.PATENT erster.. y

JACOB sTIRIss, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

nNvnLoPnk MACHINE.

T all whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, JACOB orn-uiss, a resident of the city, county, and State ofNew with the gum at the closure and atlix a clasp. f

rllhe object ofthe invention is to'pro'vide means for either of these operationsbut to have the means in the machine to disconnec certain. parts and confine the work to one of these operations only.

rlhe blank of paper isfautomatically fed into the machine and is carried through creasing rollers and one of the side edges is gummed in the usual wa n 1t is then de.- livered to the folding mechanism and folded over a stationary tongue carried by said folding mechanism whileits outer free end terminates under the afiixing punch. Central pressing rollers play throughthetongue and-seal the centre envelope to higher speed rollers connected with a plunger operated by a cam. The purpose of these high speed rollers is to disassociate the envelope from the one following so that the operations for the depositing of a patch and a clasp and other operations may. not be interfered with andmore time given for same.

The envelope in tubular form encircling the tongue is hastened forward but checked, after it leaves the influenceof the high speed rollers, for the said various operations. As the envelope comes to a rest two vpunches descend and also a roller with gum to supply the bottom flap. One of the punches cuts` and aftixes paper patch to the closure flap and makes a perforation in the same while theV other forcesA the prongs of the clasp through theseam ofthe envelope and aixes Ithe patch of Agummed paper,v over the base at the inside of the envelope,

plunger closes the die be .ted in when of the clasp same time a second and prepares a new clasp to the afiixing punch is atrest;V

A blade operating in the vicinity of the gumming roller now descends, as-the latter' and the punches are elevated, and folds the gummed bottom 4flap and passes it to muti- L 'lated feed rollers that carry the Aenvelope Application filed August 2 6, 1921.

of the United States,v

vwith adjustable couplings 'for `it is essential that the par-ts must ybe able, and for this purpose telescopic shafts] seam and deliver the serial No. 495,611.

from beneath.; the clasp punch to a third punch whichspreads the clasp tongues and ascends as these rollers again takeup the envelope and feed it to the final pressing rollers andv out-of the machine.

Beneath lthese last rollers as the creasing rollers, one of which carries a gumming' plate adapted to collect gum from 'a vgum pot andtransfer same to the closure of the envelope. i

All of these parts are adjustable and` each is ak Ypair of vrollers operating at the same rate of speed capable of being'thrown out of operation while the other lparts continue-to work and all are operated from the main drive shaft In the variation of the size of the. envelope are Aused and certain parts mounted on slide bars. i

adjust- V Theseand other details and objects ofthethat purpose.

machine are more fully described inthe fol- I lowing specification,'set forth in the append ed claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 isa side .elevation of the im` proved machine.

Fig. 2 is a lplan view of the same. Fig. 3 is ,a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the rear end of the machine. Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view through the line /1-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig.k 5 is a similar view through the line 5--5' and looking towards the 'front of thtl machine. Fig. 5a is a detailuview of' the' moistening wick; 1 Fig. 6 isa side view of thefemale die adapted for the machine.V

Fig. 'l' is Vthe male die for the same. Fig. 8 is a plan view of thelatter. Fig. 9,is a side view of theiattening plunger. Y i Y' y Fig. 10'is a horizontal sectional view through the flap punchl i Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view through CIY the latter being much simplified in its construction and arrangement of parts The blanks for the manufacture of the envelopes are carried by the racks at the front of the machine and separately brought within the range of the creasing rollers 11 by the hollow linger 12,through which air is drawn by a suction pump, and aft-er passing through vthe said rollers and also receiving the cross grooves when necessary from the cross bars 13 and 14 the blank now ready for folding is passedltoV the rollers 15 and with the assistanceof the rollers 16 that bear upon the rollers 15 and createsufficient pressure to feed the blankforward, it is brought within the influence of the folding plates 17 and the flanges 18 and finally the fingers 19 operating intermittently and closingV the folds as the envelope enters the pressing. and sealing rollers 2O and 21 as shown in Fig. 4. Gum to seal the folds .is supplied by roller 10 from a pot 12 shown in Fig. 2. t

The above operation and the operation of the `various parts referred to is clearly described in above mentioned Patent lrlo. 1,371,- 270 and the blank at this stage has itsftwo side flaps-folded. and closed with the bottoni flap and the top orclosure flap erhitendcd but with the former moving forward and the closure flap trailing'rearward for final treatment.

ln Fig. 4..it will be. seen thattho rollers 2O and 21 are each divided at the middle into two end sections to perniit ofgt ie location of a tongue 22 that,y is carried by the cross bar that supports the fol-ding plates'l?, and .sa-id tongue runs through the machine to assist in the variousoperations that will be furtheir explained. This tongue is slotted to t sealing rollers and allow the intermediate 21 on the shafts of rollers 2O and 21 to close. the gummed folds of the` envelope.

A. bed plate 25 with extensions 26 at each side is supported by the frame of the machine and having recesses or pockets 27, 23 and 29, in the former of` which plays the roller 21, and the whole plate is m vahle and adapted to be shifted along the' frame by means of the` extensions as hereinafter ei;- plained. Thisbed plate carries the two upright frames and 31 with bearings for shafts 32 vand 33 having bevelled pinions 34 and 35 that are driven by similar bevelled pinions36 and 37, the latter actuated `by the pinion 38 and shaft 39 from the pinion 34. This train of gears is driven by the bevelled gears 40 and 41 from the main drive shaft 42 (Fig. 1) through the gears 43 and 44 and the upright shaft 45. rlhe shaft 32 has a hand wheel 32 at its end for the purpose of adjustment while the extensions 26 are adjustable lengthwise by means of the rack andpinion 26 at each side of the machine and operated by the handle 27.

In the initial work of the machine it is Y 0.4/ dispensable. The humidity of the atmosphere, thickness of the paper and many other causes arise where adjustment is essential.

rlhe shaft 46 carrying the gears 43 and 44 is hollow and in the same plays an extension shaft 47 keyed thereto as shown in `Fig. 1, and adapted to rotate a series of bevelled gear wheels 48, 49, 50 and 51 and the shaft 52. Through these wheels are rotated wheels 53 and 54, 55 and 56 and 57 of delivery rollers 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, and 64, the latter being located in the pocket 29 of the bed plate and all the shafts and wheels movable with said bed plate. rlhe latter four gear wheels are rotated by an idler on a stationary shaft 66 and having a pinion 67 that rotates the gear wheel 68 whose shaft 69 carries the gear roller 70 located in the pot 71, as will be seen in Figs. 1 and3.

The above described gear wheels are carried by brackets 72 suspended by lugs 73 from the extensions 26 at each side of the machine and having appropriate tie rods.

ln the roller 63 is aI longitudinal groove 74 .for the reception of the edge of the fold-` ing blade 75 and apart of the circumference of said roller is cut away as at 76 that at certain times it will'not function asa delivery roller for the envelope, but allow theilatter to linger while certain operations are being performed by theol'her parts of the machine.

As shown in Fig.. 3 the shaft 65) carries separate and oflset cams H and M that act at one, or both sides of the machine on rollers 78 and 79, the former rollers beingnlocated at the ends of armsS@ of the bent arms S1 to the outer end of which the blade 75 is hinged and held normally in the position shown by springs 82 and 82.

The rollers 79 when they are actuated by the cam 77 swing arms 83 journalled on the shaft 66 and through the roller 84, which they carry,*gatherv glue from the roller and carry it to the bottom flap of the envelope when it rests on roller 63 and before the blade descends. rtrnis 83 are held against the Cain 77 by spring 63.

The frames 30 and 31 enclose between them the mechanism for punching theclasp and aiiixing it to the back of the envelope, applying' a gummed paper patch to secure the same, spreading the prongs, and applying` a. reinforcing patch to the closure fia-p and punching a perforation therein for the tongues ofthe clasp.

The shaft 33carries a cam 82 with the face 33 Figs. 4 and 5) ,and upon which carries as best shown in Fig. 3, at its other end a plunger 88 and having at its lower end a box 89 with rollers 90,V which meet cooperating and continually moving 'rollers 91 at the upper surface of the bed plate 2b.

These latter rollers 91 `are rotated bythe train of gear wheels 92 that operate the.

rollers 15, 20 and 21l and are shown in Fig. 2 as being driven from the main drive shaft at the front'of the machine and synchronously with shafts and 46 as already described but while the'latter shafts and thev gearing driven thereby may be disconnected by means of clutches 45( and 46, the wheels 92 run continually as they are geared directly from shaft 45 at the side of the machine opposite to Fig. 1.

The driving connections between the main shaft 42 and thetrain of gear wheels 92 are clearly shown in Fig. 2'of applicants Pat-` ent No. 1,371,270 issued Mar. 15, 1921, and hereinbefore referred to.

The rollers 90 and 91 only operate on the envelope when it is to be advanced and the depression of rollers 90, which forces the envelope against'themoving rollers 91, causes the same to move as long as-this contact continues. lThe plunger 88 acts on the roller block 89 by means of the spring 92, but when itmoves low-er, a head'93 at the lower end of the plunger forces against th'e'closure flap of the envelope and through a' suitable opening in the tongue 22 a reinforcing patch that is cut from a roll of gummed tape 94 (Fig. 2) and fed inward by a gripping jaw 95 actuated by a lever 96 and from a'cam 97 on the. shaft 32, the paper being moistened on its under side and cut by the plunger with an appropriate knife shown in Figs. 3 and 10 and hereinafter described. After this patch is affixed tothe flap'of the envelope the plunger 88 moves down furt-her and its lower end being a punch, it'passes through the tongue 22 and penetrates the flap and kpatch and makes the hole forv the clasp.V It Y will be seen that this opera-tion ispossible when the envelope leaves the influence of rollers and 91 and is at rest in consequence of the mutilation 76 of the feed roller 68, as it is also when the succeeding operation takes place.

To `the rear of this'plunger 88 is a sec-v ond plunger 100 secured near the outer end of a lever 101 that is journalled on .axbar 87 and provided at its free end with the roller 102 that rides on the face of a cam 103 on the shaft 32 and as the cam revolves the plunger 100 is forced down and operates the dies, more clearly shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8, and in which case the male diev 104 is placed belowand is secured to the ledge 111 of cross bar 165, as Shown in Fig. 3 While -for the purpose of shearing the strip throu the female die 106 is secured to the end `of the plunger 100, the die 106 being secured to a bolster 106- and guided by rods 105 on cross bar 105.

Between the two members of the die is adapted to be fed a strip of sheet metal 107 from an appropriate roll at one side of the machine and a rocking jaw 108 carried by the slide 109 is adapted to feed at each movement sufficient ,metaly to make a clasp that is cut olf by knife 110 on the head127. r1`he jaw cooperates with the slide 109 that is an L-shaped block reciprocating on the cross barV 5 and the strip 107 is passed over the extension of the block and on which the jaw isv depressed to grip the metal strip on the forward movement but release it when re; tracted and it is actuated by the` rocking lever 112 pivoted to the frames and carrying the rod 113 at one end and the roller 114 Vat the other so that it may travel over the face of the cam 115 on sha-ft 32. i

- While the cutting, fo-rming and inserting of the claspis fully described and shown in the pat-ent issued to me November 4, 1922, forl envelope-clasp punching and affixing machines 1,435,509, the following brief description of the forming of the clasp in the' present instance may be suiii'oient.

In forming this clasp the strip is first slit bythe cutting die 116 (Figs. 7 and 8)V and punchedby the projections 117 with two upwardly extendingprongs and when the cut clasp is releasedit falls upon the it -gummed side of a strip of paper 118 (Fig.

renedby wicks 124 and-124 from the small tanks 119 but while strip 94 is moistened on its under side when its slotted wick 124 is raised, strip 118 is moistened bythe wick on its upper side and is delivered as a patch on the tongue 22 with the clasp on the same ,just before the envelope reaches that point.

The punch 116 is convex on its upper face gh its centre and preparing it for the punches 117 as it is fed forward by the jaw 108 and the latter punches then cut and bend the prongs upward. The next feed of the strip carries the unsevered clasp beneath the' plunger head 127 which on its descent in its first operation will slightly wedge the prongs in its cavity and hold the clasp when h? knife 110 parts ,sai-d clasp from .the strip and bearing Patent Number.

1t will be seen in Fig. 7 that the upper face of punches 117 are inclined so as to not only cut the prongs but to bend them upward as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 11.

lVhen the clasp is thus located in the head 127 the moistened strip 118 also has been advanced so that its cnd is beneath said head whose downward movement with tl e knife 143 severs the patch and carries it with the clasp to the upper side of the tongue 22. The proximity of the metal and gummed strips and the limited space between the head and the tongue insure the proper positioning of the two on the tongue for the approaching envelope and the operation of attaching the same is hereinafter more fully explained. After this operation the cam permits the plunger' and head to ascend so that the envelope may be moved into position to receive the clasp.

During these operations the envelope is as a tube travelling on the said tongue. and enclosing` the` saine and it will be seen in Fig. 3 that the tongue is provided with a flexible lip 125 near the point where the dies are located and this lip is to zipand the envelopes so they will pass that point without disturbing the clasp and its patch and as soon as the appropriate part of the envelope reaches this point a second operation of the plunger' 126 through cam face 103b takes place on the clasp with its upright prongs, forces them through the overlapping folded sides of the envelope and causes the guinmed patch to adhere to the envelope and secure the clasp. Y

It will be seen in Figs. 4 and 5 that the cam 103 has two differently elevated faces 103a and 103b and the former cuts the clasp and paper strip which drop on the tongue 22 while the secon-d face 103" causes plunger 126 to move down farther and forces and al'liXes the clasp in the envelope and acts upon the die, the spring 145 providing yielding action for the head 127 while the die is cutting a new clasp blank.

The machine is adapted for producing a clasp of elongated rectangular shape and it is evident therefore that the patch for the saine must be larger than the clasp base and extend around all of its edges.

The plunger 120 is located at the extreme outer end of the lever 101 and carries the spring pressed head 127 in which it telescopes in order to exert a yielding pressure and the aflixing operation is performed on the tongue 22 and to more thoroughly7 secure the clasp and spread its prongs it is subjected to the last plunger 128 with yielding head 129, see Fig. 9, that operates upon the tongue 22 and drives upon the clasp before the envelope leaves the tongue 22. The latter plunger is operated by a lever 128 on shaft 86 and by cam 129 on the Shaft 33, and worlS in its proper sequence.

During these operations of the plungers the envelope is being carried bottom forward towards the rollers 63 and 64 and the bottom fol-der and forced between the said rollers by the blade 75 but its movement hesitates in consequence of the cut-away portion 76 and at that moment plunger 128 operates and after which the envelope is caught by s rollers 59 and 60, and passed out.

rhe machine as thus described is adapted to produce an envelope without gum on its closure flap but with the clasp only for that purpose, but when it is desired to dispense i the clasp, the clutch 45 is permitted to release the shalt 45 and render the plungers inoperative and the envelope will be made and while passing through the rollers 59 and 60 is impinged by a relief plate 13() that gathers glue from a supply on the fountain roller 132 located in the pot 133. The roller 132 may be rotated by its pulley wheel 134 that is driven by the pulley 135 on the shaft 52 and through a belt, while the plate 130 is adapted to meet a depression 136 in roller G0 and not marthe same if the blanks fail to be fed into the machine. The ends of the plate are slotted and through the slots are passed adjusting screws 13'? to withdraw the plate from operation if the gluing is dispensed with.

The machine may also be adapted for the manufacture of envelopes without either gum or clasp by thus rendering the plate 130 inoperative, so it will be seen that the machine is capable of three different productions.

After each envelope is completed it is dropped on the conveyor belt 138 to be carried to some convenient place for stacking and packing.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 10 it will be seen that the head 89 of the plunger 88 is carried in a bearing of cross bar 105 and has secured to it a knife blade 139 on the side from which the gumined paper is fed while a blade 140 that is loosely attached to the bed 25 but held in place by pins 141 and compressed against the co-operating blade 139 by springs that encircle the pins is provided.

As will be more clearly seen in Fig. 4 while the paper feeders and n'ioisteners are similar the jaws 95 and 120 are reversed s0 that the former meistens the strip on the under side to apply it to the flap while jaw 120 moistens it on the upper side to receive the clasp and to gum the patch to the inner side of the envelope. 1n both of these cases the moistening wick is appropriately placed on the side of the strip' to be moistened and a portion of it hangs into the pan 119.

1n Fig. 5 the construction of jaw 95 is more clearly Vshown and shows the wick 124 as having an opening through which the strip 94 travels and the depending edges of forward Vmovement tank for the impingmg portion. n

The wick 124 is perforated for the passage of the gummed strip and. rises and lowers with the jaw 95.

advances the strip and on the return movement frees it'and the wick is raised with thejaw and while the strip is at restI the returning wick will im;

pinge its lower side.

The clasp and patch afiiXer isy more in Fig. 11 where it will be seen that the head 127 carries a `blade 110 for the metal strip and a blade 143 on the opposite side for the gummed paper strip. Yielding pins clearly shown 144 are also provided to play within the head andgto force the clasp and paper patch downward on the tongue to be located when the envelope reaches the position for the clasps location. In Fig. 5 is shown how the head 127 is carried properly Y on the lower e-nd of the plunger 126 with 22 a small tube 145is run velopes and attached'by modifications of the.mecli-.

l an intervening spring 145 to exert a firm but resilient pressure. to enable the head to play in the nest 127. l

The nest 127 is located between the cross bar extensions' 105 and is larger at its lower end than above because the paper patch is the larger and the movement o-f the -clasp must be limited thereby so that it is not misplaced on the patch or the tongue. Fig. 12 shows the plunger and nest from the bottom. To aid the patch and theclasp to retain their proper positions lon the tongue the length of the tongue to some air eXhauster and` opens directly below the 'place where the patch and clasp drop after being cut tohold them by suction. IVhen the clasp is made of steel magnetic block is used to hold the clasp and patch in place.l In order to prevent of the envelope after by too great a movement the impetus given it bear against thev envelope and pressing it againstthe bed. Y i

It is obvious Vthat various forms of enand clasps or closures may befmade anisin above described yet without departin,D departing from the scope of the claims. l Y 7,

vWhat I claim as new is.: l 1. In a clasp envelope machine, the com-V bination of rollers comprising feeding and creasing means, folding means, a plunger adapted to affix the clasp in the back ofthe envelope, means for aftixing a reinforcing patch to the flap" of the envelo-pe, and a punch adapted toperforate thereinforcing patch. Y

2. In a clasp-envelope machine, the ycomappended the moisture from the The latter in its` cut a patch the rollers 90 and 91 and afterfit leaves l their influence, a friction spring 125 is se- K cured to the underside of the tongue toy o' from t-he .essential .features shown or bination of feeding and creasing rollers, folding means for an envelope blank, suppo-rting means adapted to have the envelope Agumn'ied paper strip and afliXing it within the. back of an envelopeand a punch to perforate .the flap of theenvelope.

3. In aclasp-envelope machine the com-u bination of means for creasing and means for folding the-sides of the envelope, means for feeding a strip of metal, means for feeding strips of gummed paper, a plunger adapted to cut and form clasps from the metal strip, a plunger having a knife adapted to cut reinforcing patches from the paper, and Vaffix the same, a punch adapted to perforate the same, and feeding means for the envelope. 'l

A4. In a yclas envelope, the combination of creasing an folding means, intermittent feeding means, means for feeding Va 'strip' of and cut a clasp. from the sheet metal, a second plunger having means adapted to from the gummed paper, and means for aflixing the clasp and the patch of paper.

5. In a cla-sp machine, the combination of creasing and feeding means, folding means for the sides of the envelope, means forV sealing the said sides together, a tongue adapted to support the envelope in a tubular form, means for cutting a clasp and depositing the same o-n the tongue, a plunger adapted to force the prongs of the clasp through the back of the envelope,

means adapted to cover the inside of the clasp with a retaining patch, andV means for flattening the. clasp on the back of the envelope.

6. In a clasp-envelope .machine the combinationy of creasing means and folding lmeans for` the; envelope blank, means for supplyinggum tothe latter, means for sealing the folded sides of the envelope, means for forming andcutting a .clasp `for the envelope, means for enclosing the same in the incomplete envelope, a plunger vadaptedto fo'rce t-hefprongs of the clasp through the *said incomplete envelope while iii-tubular form and means forfiiattening the clasp. 7.. In a clasp-envelo|pe machine, the combination of creasing means and folding. means, ymeans Vfor supplying gum to one of the edges of the envelope, pressing rollers to Aseal the same, a tongue adapted to carry the kincomplete envelope, intermittent feed rollers, a plunger carrying the same, a knife operated by the plunger, a strip Aof gummed paper adapted to be cut as a reinforcing patch and affixed to the flap of the envelope by the' plunger, a punch Vin the Ell Cil

plungeriadapted to perforate the .flap and l plunger adapted to flatten the clasp, a punch adapted to pcrforate the first patch and creasing and folding means for the end flaps.

9. In a clasp-envelope machine, the combi Vnation of mea-ns for creasing the side flaps ofthe envelope, means for folding the same, means for applying gum to one of the flaps, means for spacing the front and back of the envelope, means for inserting a rmetal clasp with its `prongs etended upvvard in the said spacing, means for forcing the prongs out- Ward through the incomplete envelope, means for flattening the prongs on the outside of the back ofthe envelope and means for inserting a retaining patch beneath the clasp and Within said envelope,

l0. In al clasp envelope machine, the combination'of creasing means for an envelope blank, means for foldingthe flaps of the envelope along the creases, means for applying gum to one of the flaps, a plunger carry-- ing rollers, co-operating feed rollers for the rollers of the plunger, arpunch at the end of said plunger, a second` plunger,'a die at the end of said'second yplunge-r andA adapted to vform a clasp from a strip of metal, a third plunger, means carried 'by the latter adapted to cut the clasp from the'strip of metal and apply it 'to fan incomplete envelope, means of the third plunger adapted to cut a patch of paper from` a strip tobe'applied to the incomplete envelope by the plunger, a fourth plunger adapted to flat-ten the clasp in the incomplete envelope, means for `applying gunrto an end flap of theenvelope, and

means for folding and sealing the latter flap.

ll. Ina clasp envelope machine, the comv biiiation of creasing meansffor the sides of an envelope blank, means for applying gum to one of the sides, means for folding the sides, sealinglrollers, intermittent advancing rollers operated by a plunger, a punch ope-rated 'by the same plunger,` forming dies 'for a clasp, a. plungery adapted to cut and atlix the clasp and la protecting patcli,a flattening plunger, a creasing blade lfor the end flapv of the envelope, an `intermittent gum roller forsaid flap, and sealing rollers.

l2. In a. clasp-envelope machine, the combination of rollers adapted to seal the folded sides of 'an' envelope, a plunger carrying a Vspring pressed head with advancing rollers,

a knife operated by the head, a punch at the lov-rer ond of the plunger, a cam adapted to reciprocate the plunger, clasp cuttingand ailimng means, agummmg roller intermittently operated to vsupply the bottom flap of the envelope Withan adhesive, aigum snpply pot adjacent the roller, an intermittently operated blade adapted to crease and fold said bottom flap; and sealing and feeding rollers adapted to seize the envelope from the blade.

13. In a clasp envelope machine, the combination of rollers adapted to seal and feed an envelope blanln'a tongue adapted to carry the incomplete envelope, spring finger on the tongue and adapted to separate the back from the front of the envelope, punch carry- *ing intermittent feedingrollers, means for feeding a strip of gummed paper, dies carried by a plunger and adapted to form a clasp ona strip of metal, a plunger adapted to cut the clasp fromgthe strip and aii'iX it to the incomplete envelope, means for cutting a` patch from the strip of paper and affixing it to the inner side of the clasp, and a plunger vwith means adapted to spread and flatten the clasp on the envelope.

lll. In a` clasp-envelope machine, the com bination of an oscillating" lever, aplunger carried by the same and having dies for punching a clasp, feeding means for a strip of sheet metal adjacent the dies, a second plunger' carried by the Vleverand adapted to cut the clasp from the strip and force its prongs through the envelope, means carrying a strip of gummed paper, a knife on the second plunger and yadapted to cut a patch from the strip of paper', and means for spreading and flattening the clasp when affixed to the envelope l5. In a clasp-envelope machine, t-he combination ofupright frames, shafts between the same, motive'means for the shafts, cams onl the shafts. a plungeravith intermittent feeding rollers and operated by one of the cams, a. punch anda-knife operated by said plunger, a plunger lwith dies and atlixing means operated'by a` cannai plunger vvith a collapsible spreading head operated by a third cam, feeding means for a strip of sheet metal operated by a cam on a-shaft, feeding means for strips of gummed paper and operated by cams on the shafts, rollers adapt.

ed to carry 'gum for the flaps of the envelope, and intermittent feed rollers.

16. In a clasp-envelope machine, the com bination vof a" roller andv pot for applying gum to the siderlap of an envelope, ymeans foi-folding the flap, means for sealing the flap, clasp cutting'andaflixing means, 'inter- 'mitteilt feeding rollers, a gum applying roller'andl gumpot forthe bottom flap of the envelope, a folding blade and sealing rollers, and a roller with means adapted to apply jgum'to the closure flap of the envelope as it passes through the machine.

lll() 17. In a. claspenvelope machine, the combination of means for creasing the sides of an envelope, means for folding the said sides, means for sealing the same, a member adapted to have the envelope folded about it, means for forming va metal clasp having prongs and depositing it on` the member,

means for cutting apaper'patch and de positing it on the same member, and meansV to the inside of an envelope, and means for punching a perforation for the prongs of the clasp and means for surrounding the same with a reinforcing border. K

19. In a clasp envelope machine, the combination of means for folding the side flaps of an envelope, means for forming a clasp on a met-al strip, means for cutting the clasp from the strip and securing -it in the unfinished envelope, means for cutting and applying a protecting patch Wit-hin the en-` velope and back of the clasp, means for applying a reinforcing patch to the Hap of the envelope, means for perforating the flap and patch, means for folding the bottom end fia p of the envelope, and means for sealing the same.

20. In a clasp envelope, thel combination of folding means for the sides of the envelope, intermittent feeding means, means for forming a clasp from a strip of metal, means for detaching the clasp from the strip and aiiixing it to the unfinished envelope, means for cutting a patch of gummed paper from a strip, means for applying the patch to the inside of the unfinished envelope, means for cutting a patch of paper from a strip of gummed paper and applying it to a iap of the envelope and perforating same, all as the envelope is intermittently moved through the machine.

21. ln ia clasp envelope machine, the combination of means for intermittently moving an unfinished envelope through the machine, means fori folding the sides of the envelope, means for sealing the closed sidesV of the envelope, means for `aiiiziing a metal clasp, means for applying a. protecting patch to cover the inner side of the clasp, means for applying a reinforcing patch to the flap of the envelope and means for punching a perforation through the patch and the flap, all the operations being performed as the envelope is intermittently passed through the machine.

22. In a clasp envelope machine, thecombination of means for intermittently feeding an unlinished envelope through the machine, means for folding its sides, meansffor sealing the sides together means for formin av JAooB srmrss. 

